Getting off drugs the Teen Challenge way

ONE might expect that after having been 16 years on heroin and having done time in prison, people might give up on you. But thankfully for Daniel Waterman, that was not the case with Teen Challenge.

Teen Challenge operates the New Life Centre, a drug and alcohol recovery facility in Toowoomba and will hold an open day for the public on Sunday.

Daniel is one of about 28 teens and young men accommodated at the Bedford Street centre.

He entered New Life Centre in October 2003 and has worked so hard to overcome his problems he has now been accepted as an intern to help other students.

The story is similar for Craig Watson who came to the centre three-and-a-half years ago after seeing several friends die of heroin overdose.

Craig is now a case worker for the centre's other students.

He said the program was Bible-based with students needing to work through six "contracts", usually over 12 months.

"Within a contract there are all sorts of materials we use such as work book groups and programs that build character," he said.

Parents of students and the public are invited to tomorrow's open day which will feature student testimonials, parents' experiences, talks on addictive behaviour and how to recognise stages of addiction.